Search and Care offers our clients three models of money management assistance, according to their level of need.

• Budget Assistance Program (BAS): offers clients complete bill paying, budgeting, a mutually agreed upon living allowance, and ongoing financial oversight under the management of our agency Comptroller
• AARP Bill-paying: This service offers fully insured bill-paying and checking account reconciliation services for clients who recognize the need for such assistance in order to retain their financial independence. It is a collaboration with AARP, Stanley M. Isaacs Neighborhood Center, Inc., Lenox Hill Neighborhood House, The Carter Burden Center for Aging, and Council of Senior Centers and Services of New York City, Inc.
• Volunteer Bill-organizing: is a third option which offers our clients “volunteer friendly visiting”, including limited bill-organizing and paying functions, and generally appeals to clients who are reticent to accept help with their finances

Search and Care is considered a pioneer in developing and providing money management assistance as part of its comprehensive care management model. With the financial care options we offer today, the agency continues to play a leading role in this area of elder care.

Search and Care's Money Management Assistance provides help with paying bills for regular expenses such as rent, telephone, utilities, household expenses and homecare. This benefits clients who may have few resources, whether financial and/or human, to assist them in managing their income to meet their day-to-day needs, and who

• can no longer get to the bank by themselves, or
• have difficulty with the task of paying bills and maintaining a checking account, or
• are cognitively, physically, or emotionally frail

Search and Care's Money Management Assistance is designed to:

• prevent evictions, utility and telephone turn-offs, and assures that basic day-to-day client needs are met;
• avoid unnecessary or premature nursing home admissions or relocation to unfamiliar and far costlier housing options
• prevent financial exploitation and abuse

For more information, please contact: Tressa Diaz, Assistant Program Director